Downtown Vision’s Executive Director Marty Hageman and City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki invite you to an evening of fun and conversation with IN Wilmington Campaign Manager Brianna Hansen and other special guests as we kick off another summer of fun in Downtown Wilmington! Learn more about all of the events happening in your neighborhood this season. There’s so much to look forward to!

All are welcome to join us for our quarterly Meet & Greet on Wednesday, May 22nd, from 5-7 PM at Willingtown Square (weather permitting) at 505 N Market St. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

The I.M. Pei Building at 1105 N. Market Street has been famous for decades due to its nationally recognized architect. The Class A office building now welcomes an equally impressive high-end coffee shop with a design that compliments its surrounding sophistication.

I.M. Coffee is now open within the space and is open to the public. The shop offers craft coffee, organic smoothies and prepared foods. Complimentary Wifi is available within the space.

Now with over 50 employees, and making a major impact within the community, Downtown Visions’ Director of Administration, Loshawn Maxwell, has fond memories of the organization’s humble beginnings and is proud of how far it has come in her 24 years with the company. She and the company have grown up together. Coming from a small town in Maryland, Loshawn overcame her shyness, became more assertive and adapted to the ever-evolving needs of Downtown Visions.

Q. What does your job role encompass at Downtown Visions?

A.“As the Director of Administration I manage all the administrative and financial responsibilities for the company, as well as, act as a human resource liaison and provide benefits administration.”

Q. What made you decide to work for Downtown Visions?

A.“I attended Goldey-Beacom College and upon graduation I saw the job post for an Office Assistant. I applied and interviewed for the position. The Managing Director of Wilmington 2000 (founding organization of Downtown Visions) thought I would be great for the position and hired me on the spot. It also didn’t hurt that at the time he sat on the Board of Directors of the College.”

Q. What is one of your favorite moments within your career at Downtown Visions?

A.“Honestly, the journey to where I am today. I was able to, and continue to grow so much personally and professionally.”

Q. What project that Downtown Visions was involved in are you most proud of?

A.“Holistically, the mission to create, manage and promote a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Wilmington. The purpose is what drives me, as it is all for the greater good. I also enjoyed working on the committee that planned our 20th anniversary celebration.”

Q.Where do you see Downtown Visions in 5 years?

A.“I see the organization continuing to be the go-to organization, growing our partnerships, having more relationships and building bridges between all of the great people and companies making a difference Downtown. We have seen so much change, and there are so many great people involved.”

Q. What is your favorite activity or place in Downtown Wilmington?

A.“My favorite activity is walking down Market Street and restaurant hopping, enjoying cocktails at one place, dinner at another.”

Q. What do you like to do outside of work?

A.“I love spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling. My favorite place to travel is to the Caribbean or anywhere warm.”

It has been a great year for our city and we want to take a moment to celebrate some of the major milestones. While we are only referencing events within the Downtown Visions Business Improvement District, there have been many, many more city-wide impactful moments as well.

Thank you to the City of Wilmington’s major game changers for their immense contribution this year. Organizations such as the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, NewMarketWilm.com, DE.TV, INWilm, and many, many more are making sure Wilmington continues to grow and thrive for generations to come. To all those individuals and businesses, the Downtown Visions team is extremely grateful for you!

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Finance Director Patrick Carter also remind citizens that the City of Wilmington’s holiday season parking meter policy will be in effect from Friday, November 23, through Monday, December 31, 2018. To support holiday shopping during this period, from Noon to 6:00 p.m. each weekday, the City will not require payment at parking meters in the Downtown Business District (defined as the area bounded by 2nd Street to 12th Street, and by French Street to Washington Street) and in the Riverfront Business District. Official holidays such as Christmas Day (December 25) remain free all day. A two-hour parking limit will remain in effect, however.

Exceptions to this temporary parking policy involve streets designated as “tow-away zones,” where no stopping is allowed at those meters at the times posted. All applicable traffic regulations, other than those requiring payment at parking meters, will be enforced, including time-limited parking (two-hour or one-hour parking as designated by signage) or overtime parking, bus stops, fire hydrants, double-parking and parking too close to pedestrian crosswalks, etc.